Times and Sun IT boss will report directly to Rupert Murdoch

He replaces News Corp CTO John McKinley, who has departed to concentrate on a start-up project and spend more time with his family, according to a company spokesman.

However, there will be a change to the reporting structure and where previously the CTO role reported to the former Chief Digital Officer John Miller, Cheesbrough will report directly to News Corp CEO and chairman Rupert Murdoch.

In a statement, Murdoch said: “[Cheesbrough] has led a truly impressive digital reinvention of News Internaional that has position our media properties at the forefront of the industry today.”

He will be replaced by NI director of enterprise technologies Chris Taylor on an interim basis. No permanent successor has been named.

In his new position, Cheesbrough will be responsible for setting the company’s global technology strategy and coordinating with senior leaders across the organisation to develop digital products. Perhaps more significantly, he will oversee the transition of IT systems relating to the ccompany’s proposed separation into two companies.